We applauded while Serena, Braixen, and Pancham bowed.
"That was great, Serena!" Ash said. "With that routine, I'm sure you'll win tomorrow's Pokémon Showcase."
"You really think so?" Serena wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "I still think we can work on it a bit more."
Eevee wagged her tail. "I thought it was wonderful," she said.
Serena crouched before Eevee. "Thank you, Eevee. I hope you'll enjoy the Pokémon Showcase. After tomorrow, you'll be joining us in our routines!"
Eevee grinned. "I can hardly wait!" She looked at Sylveon and Bunnelby. "You'll watch me, won't you?"
"Of course!" Sylveon patted Eevee's head with her ribbon. "There's no way I would miss something like that."
Eevee beamed. Serena smiled.
"I'm glad you're all getting along," I said. "It's good that Eevee has already made friends."
A stream of light burst from Clemont's pocket, and Chespin emerged.
"What about me?" he said.
Eevee's smile faded, and she shrunk behind Bunnelby.
"Aw, come on! I'm friendly!" Chespin and Eevee circled around Bunnelby.
Sylveon wrapped her ribbons around Chespin and lifted him in the air. "Maybe a little too friendly."
Clemont took Chespin from Sylveon. "It's okay, Chespin. It may take some time, but Eevee will eventually warm up to all of us."
"Hey, hey, hey!" a voice called from across the battlefield. We looked and saw Tierno and Blastoise.
Shauna poked her head out from behind Blastoise. Ivysaur stood at her feet. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Shauna!" Serena cried. The two trainers and their Pokémon crossed the battlefield and joined us. "It's so good to see you."
"Not as good as it is to see you!" Tierno said. "You're as lovely as always!"
Serena sweatdropped. "Thank you... Tierno..." She turned to Shauna. "Are you here to enter the Pokémon Showcase?"
"Of course! Ivysaur and I have been practicing non-stop since the last Showcase! I can't wait for you to see our performance," Shauna said.
"Same here!"
Shauna looked past Serena and at Eevee. "Aw, what a cute Eevee! Is that your new partner?"
"Uh-huh. Eevee, this is my friend, Shauna."
Eevee grimaced over Bunnelby's shoulder. Serena walked over and picked Eevee up.
"It's okay. Shauna's really nice." Serena turned to Shauna. "Eevee's really shy. There's few people she's comfortable around right now."
"You're so lucky. You'll have so many possibilities for this little one."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Eevee has many different evolutions, and each one can bring their own amazing flavor to performances," Shauna said. "For example, if you evolve it into Flareon, you can pair it up with Braixen and create some powerful fire performances. Or you could evolve it into Leafeon and partner it with Pancham. Of course, that doesn't limit out the other evolutions. The rest include Umbreon, Espeon, Glaceon, Jolteon, Vaporeon, and Sylveon."
"I've never given it that much thought before..." Serena smiled at Eevee. "Isn't that exciting?"
Eevee tilted her head to the side and gaze curiously at Serena.
"Have you seen Trevor recently?" Ash said as we sat inside the Pokémon Center.
"Uh-huh. He was supposed to be here with us, but on the way, he found a Pokémon he didn't have in his photo collection yet. He's been chasing it down ever since," Tierno said. "You're getting ready to challenge the Anistar Gym, right?"
"Yup."
"Best of luck to you. I've already challenged that Gym, and I lost. The Gym leader's tough."
"Really? I'll have to see for myself when it's my turn."
Eevee scurried across the floor and hopped into Serena's lap. Chespin chased after her with a Poké Puff in hand. Bonnie reached down and grabbed him as he passed.
"Do you plan on having Eevee in your next performances?" Shauna said.
"Yes," Serena said.
"Well... I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Eevee's so shy, and there are thousands that watch Pokémon Showcases. I'm not sure Eevee would be able to handle so many people."
Serena looked at Eevee and stroked her fur. "That may be so... but Eevee has a beautiful dance. I want everyone to see it. Eevee loves to perform, and I don't want to deprave her of that." Eevee looked up at her, and Serena smiled. "I'm not worried about her at all."
Ash leaped from his chair and slammed his hands on the table. Eevee flinched and jumped off Serena's lap. She scurried behind a plant tucked in the corner of the room.
"I've got it!" he cried. He pointed at Eevee, who shrunk deeper behind the plant. "It's time for Eevee to do some training!"
"Ash, don't be so loud," Bonnie said. "And what do you mean, training?"
"Why don't we try putting Eevee into battle? The experience could help her with her shyness, and it could strengthen hers and Serena's relationship."
Serena tapped a finger against her chin. "That's a good idea..." She stood from her chair and walked over to Eevee. She crouched to her level. "Eevee, how would you like to battle with me?" Eevee stepped out from behind the plant and knit her eyebrows. Serena picked her up. "I don't think she's quite convinced yet..."
I stood up from my chair. "Why don't we make it a tag battle?" I said. "You and I can partner up, so Eevee can battle alongside Sylveon. What do you think, Sylveon?"
Sylveon stood by my feet and nodded excitedly.
"How about that, Eevee? Would battling with Sylveon be more comfortable?"
"It'll be a lot of fun," Sylveon said.
Eevee looked to Sylveon and nodded slowly. "Okay."
"We can help!" Shauna said. "Tierno and I can team up, and we'll battle you."
Clemont stood in the referee box and cleared his throat. "The tag battle between the team of Serena and Rylee and the team of Shauna and Tierno will now begin. Each team may use two Pokémon, one for each trainer. The battle is over when both Pokémon from either side are unable to battle."
"Are you ready?" I said. Serena nodded.
"What about you, Eevee?" Serena said. Eevee stared at the battlefield nervously. "There's no need to worry. We're with you until the end."
Eevee looked up at Serena and smiled. Clemont raised his arm in the air and sliced it down.
"Battle, begin!"
"Let's show them our dance moves!" Tierno said. "Blastoise, Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise retreated into its shell and spun like a top towards us.
"Eevee, use Protect!"
Protect formed in front of her, and Blastoise ran into it. It ricocheted off it and emerged from its shell.
"Ivysaur, use Energy Ball!"
Ivysaur formed a ball of green energy and launched it at us.
"Dodge it, Eevee!"
Eevee stared at the hurtling Energy Ball with wide eyes. She stepped back, but she lost her footing and fell.
"Eevee, look out!"
The Energy sailed straight for her.
"Sylveon!"
The Energy Ball landed, and it kicked up a cloud of dirt. When the dirt subsided, Sylveon stood in front of Eevee. Her ribbons were up in front of her face, and the Energy Ball hit them. With a grunt, Sylveon pushed the Energy Ball into the air, and it exploded.
"Are you okay?" Sylveon said.
"What do you think?" Serena said. "This is what battling is like. Isn't it exciting?"
Eevee stood up and nodded. She stepped to Sylveon's side and glared at her opponents.
"Let's finally get this battle started. Eevee, it's time to show them your dance!" Serena said.
"We're going to see this lovely dance of yours? I want to know if it'll be as groovy as ours!" Tierno said. "Blastoise, use Hydro Pump!"
Blastoise flipped into the air, landed on its feet, and fired water from one of the nozzles on its back.
"Dodge!"
"Jump!"
Sylveon moved out of the way. Eevee leaped over the water Blastoise. She landed and started to dance. She leaped across the battlefield, and Blastoise struggled to follow her.
"Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!"
"Sylveon, use Fairy Wind!"
Sylveon circled around Blastoise as Ivysaur used Razor Leaf. The moves met in the middle, creating a thick and powerful tornado. Eevee and Blastoise continued their dance battle. Blastoise began to grow tired.
"Now, Eevee! Use Swift!"
Eevee jumped back and swiped her tail. Serena's eyes widened as she watched the Swift soar through the air. Energy stars burst from them and hit Blastoise. It brought its arms up to block the attack, but it tumbled down the battlefield.
"That was amazing! Are you sure this is Eevee's first battle?" Shauna called.
Serena stared at Eevee with shaking eyes. She bowed her head, the rim of her hat covering her eyes. She quickly straightened again and smiled.
"Rylee, can I withdraw from the battle?" she said.
"Huh?" I said.
"I just thought of a new performance idea, and I'd like to get started right away. I hope that's all right."
I chuckled. "It's fine. I'm glad this helped inspire you."
"I hope to see this new idea at the next Pokémon Showcase!" Shauna said.
Serena nodded. "Eevee, Braixen, Pancham... Let's go practice!"
The three Pokémon nodded, and they and Serena hurried off the battlefield.
"I'm going to withdraw, too," Shauna said. "There's no way I'm going to fall behind Serena. Ivysaur, let's go!"
Shauna waved, and she and Ivysaur left.
"So... is the battle over?" Bonnie said.
"I'm still raring for a battle," Tierno said. "How about it, Rylee? Let's change this into a one-on-one match. I want to see your sick moves myself!"
"Sure, I'm up for it," I said. I smiled. "I hope you're ready."
"All right, then. The battle between Rylee and Tierno will now begin! Both sides may use only one Pokémon, and the battle is over when either Pokémon is unable to battle. And... begin!"
"Blastoise, use Hydro Pump!"
Blastoise pivoted its body. I narrowed my eyes as it fired.
"Sylveon, dodge."
Sylveon moved out of the way of the rushing water. Blastoise stopped and faced Sylveon. It started to sway in sync with Tierno.
"One, two! One, two! Give them a taste of your Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise retreated into its shell and spun towards Sylveon.
"Dodge again."
Sylveon leaped across the battlefield, avoiding Blastoise as it chased after her.
"Is that all you got?" Tierno said. "Use Hydro Pump!"
Blastoise planted its feet on the ground and aimed its nozzle.
"Move to his back and use Fairy Wind!"
Sylveon sprinted around Blastoise right as it fired, stood behind him, and attacked. The Fairy Wind rammed into Blastoise's back. It lifted it off the ground a few inches, and it fell forward and landed on its stomach.
"Blastoise, wrap this up with Skull Bash!"
"Stand your ground, Sylveon..."
Sylveon planted her feet and glared at Blastoise. The battlefield was silent. Those on the sidelines held their breath. Finally, Blastoise launched forward, propelling itself like a rocket using its nozzles.
"Dazzling Gleam!"
Sylveon spread out her ribbons and released a blinding light. Blastoise covered its eyes. Sylveon jumped of out the way. Blastoise came straight towards me. I twisted my body and leaned away as Blastoise zoomed past me, kicking up a gust of wind that disturbed my hair and clothes. Blastoise rammed headfirst into the stone wall behind me, leaving a deep crater. The haze of dirt cleared, and it lay on the ground, unconscious.
"Blastoise is unable to battle. Which means the winners of this match is Sylveon and Rylee!" Clemont said.
I smoothed my tornado-blown hair and smiled. I stepped onto the battlefield, and Sylveon ran over and jumped into my arms.
"Good job, Sylveon," I said as I pat her head.
"Blastoise!" Tierno rushed to Blastoise's side as it sat up. "Are you all right?"
Blastoise rubbed its head and gave Tierno a thumbs-up. Tierno sighed.
"That was awesome, Rylee! You've got amazing battling skills!" Tierno said.
"Thanks," I said. "Blastoise is constantly moving around, but it has to stop when it uses Hydro Pump. I decided to use that to my advantage." I smiled at Blastoise. "Sorry if I was too harsh."
Blastoise shook its head.
"No wonder Trevor admires you so much. You and your Pokémon pack intense punches. I bet you would take down the Anistar Gym in no time!"
I sweatdropped. "Thanks, but I'll let Ash handle the Gym battles. I have a different agenda, like everyone else."
"And what's that?"
"Uh... Just sightseeing and traveling with my friends."
Tierno folded his arms, closed his eyes, and nodded, as if truly moved by my answer. "Kalos does have a lot to offer. Make sure you take in as much as possible while you're here!"
"I'll do my best..."
"How about you and I have a battle now, Tierno?" Ash said.
"Sure! After Blastoise gets healed up, we'll take you on!" Blastoise stood, and the two headed into the Pokémon Center.
"Nice save," Clemont said.
I sighed. "That was a close one."
"You haven't told anyone about your mission, huh?"
"No one except you." I folded my arms. "I still haven't heard anything yet. Maybe I'll call N and see how he's doing."
"Maybe they'll show up here in Anistar City. That way, we can tackle three events at once." Clemont snickered.
I rolled my eyes.
